Toroidal booster with cylindrically symmetrical output



March 1967 R. H. STRESAU, JR. ETAL 3,311,055

TOROIDAL BOOSTER WITH CYLINDRICALLY SYMMETRICAL OUTPUT Filed April 23, 1965 FIG. 2

RICHARD H. STRESAU, JR m RAYMOND L DEGNER INVENTOR.

W $kM ATTORNEY United Statesv Patent The present invention relates to explosives and more particularly to an improved booster which will initiate a cylindrical symmetrical detonation wave.

Many booster applications call for a symmetrical detonation wave in order to produce the desired fragmentation patterns. In the instant invention the booster will initiate a cylindrically symmetrical detonation Wave although the booster has a central hole through which inert components such as electrical initiators, control wires and cables can be passed. A Mild Detonating Fuze distribution system is used to induce multiple point simultaneous initiation of the main booster charge.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a toroidal booster system for detonation of a Warhead.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved booster for producing a cylindrically symmetrical output.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved explosive initiator system using a plurality of equal-length explosive paths from a common initiation point to equally distributed terminal points about the inner diameter of a toroidal shaped booster charge for initiating a cylindn'cally symmetrical detonation wave.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description When considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectionalview of the toroidal booster taken along line 1-1 of FIG. 2 showing a plurality of equally distributed explosive paths.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1 taken along line 2-2.

Referring now to the drawings, like characters refer to like parts in each of the figures.

An essential feature of the invention is a multiple branched distribution system of metal cased explosive 10 so arranged that the explosive paths from a common point of initiation 12 to each of several terminal points 14 are equal to each other. The terminal points 14, at which the main booster charge 16 is initiated, are equally distributed in a circle close to the inner diameter of the main booster charge.

Lengths of metal cased explosive 10, such as, for example, Mild Detonating Fuze, a product of the Du Pont Company, are placed in concentric grooves 20, 21 and 22, in a housing 23, of acrylic plastic for example. From initiating point 12, two lengths of metal cased explosive 10 in groove 20 lead to T-joints in groove 21. The T- joints are formed by splicing the end of one length of metal cased explosive at the center of another length of metal cased explosive. From each T-joint 25 in groove 21 lengths of metal cased explosive lead to twice as many T-joints 25 in groove 22 which again in turn lead through more lengths of metal cased explosive to terminal points 14. The principle of such metal cased explosive patterns is that the lengths 10 are arranged in such a pattern that there are equal length explosive paths between a single initiation point 1-2 and a plurality of output points 14. The remaining spaces in grooves 20, 21 and 22 not occupied by lengths of metal cased explosive 10 are completely filled with a potting compound so that the explosive paths between initiation point 12 and points 14 are potted in a plastic resin.

At output points 14, a sub-booster charge 27, of SPX-2 for example, may be used for initiating the main booster charge 16, of CH-6 for example.

A cylindrical ring 28, of plastic for example, forms the inner wall of the toroidal booster housing. An outer cylindrical tubing ring 29, of aluminum for example, forms the outer wall of the booster. This wall is crimped over outer plates 30 and 31 of the booster.

The use of a metal cased explosive pattern with several output leads for initiating a sub-booster explosive which in turn initiates the main booster charge has the advantage of using relatively little explosive and weight in proportion to the main booster charge. In addition, the metal casing, a lead sheath for example, of the metal cased explosive lengths 10 absorb and attenuate the radial output of the explosive in the lengths 10, thus reducing any undesirable effects upon the main booster charge.

Because of the equal path lengths and the uniform detonation rate of the metal cased explosive 10, the main booster charge 16 is initiated simultaneously at the several terminal points 14. The spherically expanding detonation wave fronts join to approach a surface of revolution. This nearly symmetrical detonation wave results in more nearly ideal performance of a warhead which is initiated by such a booster.

If other wave front configurations are desired, both position and timing of the terminal points may be adjusted to give a wide variety.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:

A booster for initiating a symmetrical detonation wave, comprising:

(a) a toroidal housing having a chamber therein,

(b) a main booster charge in said chamber,

(c) an annular sub-booster charge adjacent said booster charge,

((1) a plurality of concentric ring shaped grooves in a wall of said housing,

(e) said grooves being connected by passageways therebetween,

(f) a plurality of metal cased explosive lengths in said concentric grooves to form explosive paths, all remaining space in said grooves and passages not occupied by said lengths of metal cased explosive being completely filled with a potting compound thus potting the explosive paths,

(g) a common point of initiation in the outermost of said concentric grooves at which one end of each of a first pair of said metal cased explosive lengths are initiated,

(h) the other ends of said first pair of metal cased explosive lengths passing through the passageways between the outermost concentric groove into the next inner groove,

(i) said other ends being spliced to other lengths of metal cased explosive midway along their length in said next inner groove forming a T-junction of metal cased explosive,

(j) the end of said other lengths of metal cased explosive in turn passing through the passageways to following inner grooves in turn and also in turn being spliced at T-junctions to the lengths of metal cased explosive in the innermost concentric groove terminating at a plurality of output points symmetrically positioned about and opening onto said of the explosive therein on detonation thus reducing sub-booster charge, any undesirable eifects upon the booster charge, on (k) said spliced lengths of metal cased explosive forrndetonation of said main booster spherically expanding a plurality of equal length paths from said coming detonation wave fronts join to approach a cylinmon point of initiation to said plurality of output 5 drically symmetrical detonation Wave.

points for initiating said sub-booster charge simultaneously at each of said plurality of output points, References Cited y the Examiner saidi metal tcased explosivte lengths detonatilng at a UNITED STATES PATENTS uni orm ra e upon initia ion causlng sirnu taneous multiple point detonation of said sub-booster which 10 2 22 pi 1O2 85'2 in turn uniformly detonates said main booster charge, 9 ac e0 102M70 said metal cased explosive lengths and sub-booster 3 23131 33 using relatively little explosive and Weight in proportion to said main booster charge, (1) said metal casing of the metal cased explosive r BENJAMIN BORCHELT P'lmary Exammer' 0 lengths absorbing and attenuating the radial output V. R. PENDEGRASS, Assistant Examiner. 

